Between a rock and a hard place

I want to share with you a personal story of mine. One of those ‘lifetime events’ as they say. It’s only a short little introduction, as I don’t want to get into trouble for ‘breaking stag rules’. It gives the photos some context and depth.

A few weeks before my wedding, I was told a few things by my best men (some truths, some lies) on how to pack for my stag weekend with the boys. It was early June so I was a bit surprised when they advised to pack for cold weather. With this information I figured we were going camping and canoeing in northern Ontario. Great! I was excited to unwind with the boys on a weekend adventure in the bush. I packed my camping bag, camera, a couple of prime lenses and met them at the airport. The tip off to lie number one was that I was the only person to show up with camping gear. No problem, I understand this group of old childhood friends has a history of keeping the bachelor in the dark for stag weekend destinations. We approached the airline counter and were greeted with the standard question, where are you gentlemen going today? One of the boys responded, “we’re keeping the destination a secret from this guy, if you know what I mean”. The airline attendant responded with a wink and my ticket was processed with my final destination still unknown. After passing through security and stocking up on some nutrition for the trip (a couple of double caesars), the distraction technique worked so well that we almost missed the flight to St. John’s. Yes ladies and gentlemen, St. John’s Newfoundland. A place I’ve been wanting to go for a long time!

Leaving Toronto

Waking up in St. John’s

The cottage in Elliston, Newfoundland.

The view from our cottage. Icebergs floated lazily by the puffin colony a few miles down the road.

Elliston, Newfoundland. Root cellar capital of the world!

I went for a walk one evening and was floored by these gorgeous old abandoned wood clapboard houses. They seemed untouched for years (possibly decades?) when the homeowners shut and boarded up their front doors for the last time. A sad reminder of the cod fisheries collapse.

The last night – downtown St. Johns. Early dawn actually. Looking for post pub munchies as it had been hours since we last stuffed ourselves with lobster dinners. Mmmmmm lobster….

Sunrise in the harbor.

The ‘bachelors’ as we became known to the locals.

Thank you Jeramy, Iain, Aaron, Jamie, Tim and Mark for the fantastic time!!! WOW!